TAMPA, Fla. -- Michigan's Taylor Lewan is an All-American offensive tackle. South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney is an All-American defensive end.
Both are projected as top-15 NFL Draft picks -- Lewan this year, Clowney next year -- and will tangle in the most anticipated head-to-head matchup of the Outback Bowl.
"That's the matchup everybody's waiting to see," Michigan left guard Ricky Barnum said Wednesday during a dinner for both teams at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. "Taylor's a hell of a player, and so is Clowney.
"We're all taking it personally, because we all want to win this game."
But Clowney, the country's top end this year, doesn't see it that way.
He's impressed by Lewan, no doubt. But he also sees Lewan as just another speed bump standing between him and another devoured quarterback.
"I don't care about that (matchup hype)," Clowney said. "I just want to get the win -- whatever it takes.
"I don't care about who I'm going up against. They can put me against any tackle on that field, it don't matter to me. I don't pay attention. I just play my game. Period."
Clowney's physical presence is startling. He's listed at 6-foot-6, 256 pounds, but his stature is more defensive tackle than defensive end. Combined with quickness that belies his stature, it's easy to see how he racked up an NCAA-best 13 sacks.
But just as evident: His oozing confidence.
Asked if anyone slowed him this year, Clowney responded: "I don't know. Y'all watch the tape of the games, and y'all tell me."
He did say LSU and Tennessee did the best job containing him, holding him to a combined 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
But he was quick to add they needed gimmicks to do it. LSU often max-protected with eight players, and Tennessee chip-blocked him with tight ends.
Can Lewan handle the job himself?
Clowney is impressed by what he's seen on film, noting Lewan's footwork is better than any tackle he's faced.
"His feet just move at all times," Clowney said. "Other guys, their feet turn. He moves his feet, sits back and shuffles. I'll have to get up on him a lot.
"He don't give up on no block. He's always running downfield to block. I love his game, the way he plays. He plays with attitude, with great effort on the field."
But it's clear Clowney has an understanding of just how good he is, and doesn't plan for that to change next week.
"I don't care who it is," he said. "I'm just playing my game."
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/inde...eon_clown.html
Both are projected as top-15 NFL Draft picks -- Lewan this year, Clowney next year -- and will tangle in the most anticipated head-to-head matchup of the Outback Bowl.
"That's the matchup everybody's waiting to see," Michigan left guard Ricky Barnum said Wednesday during a dinner for both teams at the A La Carte Event Pavilion in Tampa. "Taylor's a hell of a player, and so is Clowney.
"We're all taking it personally, because we all want to win this game."
But Clowney, the country's top end this year, doesn't see it that way.
He's impressed by Lewan, no doubt. But he also sees Lewan as just another speed bump standing between him and another devoured quarterback.
"I don't care about that (matchup hype)," Clowney said. "I just want to get the win -- whatever it takes.
"I don't care about who I'm going up against. They can put me against any tackle on that field, it don't matter to me. I don't pay attention. I just play my game. Period."
Clowney's physical presence is startling. He's listed at 6-foot-6, 256 pounds, but his stature is more defensive tackle than defensive end. Combined with quickness that belies his stature, it's easy to see how he racked up an NCAA-best 13 sacks.
But just as evident: His oozing confidence.
Asked if anyone slowed him this year, Clowney responded: "I don't know. Y'all watch the tape of the games, and y'all tell me."
He did say LSU and Tennessee did the best job containing him, holding him to a combined 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
But he was quick to add they needed gimmicks to do it. LSU often max-protected with eight players, and Tennessee chip-blocked him with tight ends.
Can Lewan handle the job himself?
Clowney is impressed by what he's seen on film, noting Lewan's footwork is better than any tackle he's faced.
"His feet just move at all times," Clowney said. "Other guys, their feet turn. He moves his feet, sits back and shuffles. I'll have to get up on him a lot.
"He don't give up on no block. He's always running downfield to block. I love his game, the way he plays. He plays with attitude, with great effort on the field."
But it's clear Clowney has an understanding of just how good he is, and doesn't plan for that to change next week.
"I don't care who it is," he said. "I'm just playing my game."
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/inde...eon_clown.html
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